LeBron James scored 16 factors in 35 minutes whereas additionally making NBA historical past household type because the Los Angeles Lakers earned a 110-103 victory over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday within the season opener for each groups.
James took the ground together with his son Bronny with 4 minutes remaining within the first half, and by sharing the courtroom for the following 2 minutes, 41 seconds, they turned the primary father-son duo to play in a recreation in league historical past.
Anthony Davis dominated with 36 factors and 16 rebounds whereas Rui Hachimura added 18 factors for the Lakers, who earned a victory within the debut of coach JJ Redick. Austin Reaves had 12 factors and Jaxson Hayes added 10.
Anthony Edwards scored 27 factors and Rudy Gobert added 13 factors and 14 rebounds for the new-look Timberwolves, who noticed each Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo make their debuts with the workforce. Each had been acquired from the New York Knicks in an offseason commerce for Karl-Anthony Cities.
READ | LeBron and Bronny James make historical past as NBA’s first father-son duo to play collectively
Randle scored 16 factors and grabbed 9 rebounds and DiVincenzo added 10 factors for Minnesota, which completed third within the Western Convention final season and made it to the Western Convention finals.
The Timberwolves held a 23-22 lead after the primary quarter, when the groups mixed to aim 20 pictures from 3-point vary. The Lakers went 2-for-11, whereas the Wolves was 4-for-9.
Los Angeles started to take management within the second quarter, happening a 17-2 run for a 45-29 lead with 6:14 remaining earlier than halftime. The James duo quickly checked into the sport, and LeBron James missed a 3-point try 4 seconds later.
Bronny James was credited with a rebound whereas lacking a managed tip with 3:24 remaining, and he missed a 3-point strive with 1:38 left after a go from his father.
Down by as many as 17 factors within the third quarter, Minnesota pulled inside 85-81 with 10:38 remaining within the fourth. Nonetheless, the Lakers original a 99-88 lead with 5:02 left on a jumper from Hachimura close to the free-throw line.
Los Angeles sealed the victory when Davis blocked DiVincenzo’s dunk try with 2:43 left and Reaves transformed a layup on the opposite finish for a 105-95 lead with 2:37 remaining.
The Lakers completed simply 5-for-30 (16.7 p.c) from 3-point vary, whereas the Wolves was 13-for-41 (31.7 p.c). Los Angeles scored 72 factors within the paint.